Carlo Ancelotti brought the Champions League trophy to a Milan Channel show as the coach looked back over the wonderful end to the season
MILAN - There were two great guests of honour on Milan Channel's 'Studio Milan Monday' show: Carlo Ancelotti and the Champions League trophy which the Rossoneri coach brought with him He said: 'I have dreamt of an evening like this, a evening to celebrate again. It was a great joy because some time has gone by.'
When did he feel the team could get to the final:
'When we won in Munich and we thought that the difficult season would end in triumph.' As for the final against Liverpool:
'It was compressed due to Liverpool's attitude, we did well to adapt and always had it in our heads to attack and score.' As for the build-up: 'It is necessary to give particular attention to the psychological aspect. We have had all the time necessary in order to organise ourselves from a tactical point of view. One the eve of the game therefore it's about concentrating in creating the right situation, to relax, put the team in the best frame of mind. We were all confident.'
After the 2003 semi-final with Inter had seen Ancelotti had hit out at the press for being more concerned with the futures of the coaches than the football player. Now things between the two sides seem even more exasperated: 'It's not usually like this. Then I felt they were more centred on the coaches but now I believe that
Milan fans have suffered enough about this clean title because the Milan know what has happened over these last two years and have always been clean and correct. Ambrosini was a bit over the top but he had the intelligence to apologise. Rivalry is normal but I would close this discussion once and for all by saying that Inter did better than Milan in the league while Milan did better than Inter in the Champions Leauge. You can feel the championship victory arriving while there is a great joy when you win the Champions League or immense disappointment.'
All the press were in unison when Milan were going through a difficult time and there were rumours of a new coach arriving: 'The problem was the cohesion of the side. The difficulties rise because of certain reasons you cannot find but evidently it was not to do with my relationship with the players.
Our problems had to do with the lack of preparation, unjuries, the players who had played in the World Cup had not had time to refind their form. Getting the tactics sorted was important and getting Ambrosini back was fundamental for this. The problems started to resolve themselves. His recovery was not simple but paradoxically the key to his recovery was the injury in the Italian Cup in Arezzo. He came off disappointed but he was feeling better three days later. This may have been down to tension. The worst period for the team was November and December when the team fell away fitness-wise because of the lack of preparation. It was essential we went to Malta.'On November 20 ahead of the AEK Athens game, Carlo Ancelotti had declared that Milan's objective was to get back to Athens for the final: 'I set it up because from December we started to think seriously about the Champions League. We had played 630 minutes in six games and we were just lacking in 90.' As for the fans getting behind the team:
'I am very satisfied but this victory only hit me when we went on the tour of the city. It was just improvised and slowly it turned into a party. Arriving in Piazza del Duomo was something incredible.On Milan's DNA in Europe: 'It's a legacy of the club's philosophy, that takes us forward with the likes of Maldini and Costacurta and has been passed on to players like Pirlo, Nesta, Seedorf, Kakà , Gilardino...the witnesses. Milan have had the same leadership over the last twenty years and the mentality has been passed on to the players as well. The cycle continues. (IMG:
http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif) I feel an integral part of the club and we'll certainly extend my contract in the next few days but the important thing is to have wonderful feelings such as I am living through now.' It could on:
'Ronaldo's arrival was very important because he brought a great security for the push for fourth place and he relaxed things more for the Champions League.' Poalo Maldini felt the side could win the Champions League: 'We all did. Milan have won seven Champions Cups and it's difficult to explain but the best way is if you look at Cesare Maldini lifting the trophy in '63 and Paolo forty years late.' As for the captain's presence in the final: 'I left the decision to him. Paolo is the captain and he's very attached to this shirt and it's only right that he decides, I felt it to him because he is intelligent and honest. After playing against Catania he trained for ten days with no problems.'
What has been the best game for Carlo Ancelotti in Europe over these last five years? 'The one in Manchester was an incredible game and the first half in Istanbul.' We haven't seen something like the first 45 minutes against Manchester United: 'That's true...'
On Yoann Gourcuff: 'He's a complete midfielder, good going forward. His only problem is the number of appearances, he's only 20 and with a bit of patience he will become a regular at Milan.' As for Dida: 'He hasn't had a good season, he's made mistakes and had two big injuries: one knee and the other a shoulder but in the end he did well and demonstrated he was concentrated and determined.'
And Gilardino: 'He represents Milan's future. A jump of quality was expected this year but for a young player that can arrive a year later. Alberto needs to improve in terms of personality and conviction in himself.' As for Kakà 's Champions League form: 'Kakà was particularly determining in the preliminary group and he is perfect for the Champions League as it's an international window and he can put on a good display and he has the legitimate ambition of being recognized a a great world player. Inzaghi just loves to score while
Kaladze is very instinctive and has come good after a difficult year. He's young and has the future ahead of him.'Looking ahead to the transfer market: 'What awaits Milan next season is extremely fascinating. We have a lot of games and we need a player similar to Ambrosini in midfield, someone experienced like Emerson.' In conclusion: 'This year the cycle seemed over, instead the story continues...'FORZA CARLO!!!